Broadband Infraco (BBI), in collaboration with Huawei, launched an upgraded intelligent backbone network at Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg. The upgraded backbone network directly supports the goals of SA Connect and will bring high-capacity, affordable broadband to millions of South Africans. The launch was witnessed by over 200 leaders from the public and private sectors in South Africa and other SADC countries.
As a state-owned enterprise mandated by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) to expand South Africa’s broadband infrastructure, BBI is implementing the upgrade as part of its Backbone Network Expansion Strategy. The investment aims to extend electronic communications infrastructure nationwide and make connectivity more affordable, closing gaps between urban and rural areas as well as between South Africa and industrialised nations.
“We are bridging the digital divide on two fronts, closing the digital inequality gap at home and narrowing the gap between South Africa and the world’s most industrialised nations”, said Gift Zowa, CEO of BBI. “We are addressing one of SA Connect’s primary goals, the DCDT’s flagship broadband connectivity project, to make connectivity inclusive and bring stable, high-capacity broadband to all South African communities and government facilities by 2030.”
To date, through the execution of its national connectivity projects, BBI has connected over 3,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots and more than 50,000 homes in underserved and rural areas nationwide.
“Every South African can benefit from a digital future,” said Zowa. “BBI is collaborating with Huawei to build one of South Africa’s best national broadband infrastructure, building a connected and prosperous society everywhere, where everyone can participate equally in the digital era.”
BBI’s macroeconomic impact study provides insight into broadband’s effects on economic growth. Quoting the study, BBI Chairperson Zandile Kabini said every one percent increase in broadband penetration added nearly R5-billion rand to South Africa’s GDP.
“The numbers may be from yesterday, but their truth belongs to tomorrow: when you extend access, you extend growth. And when you bridge the digital divide, you build an inclusive society. When our country’s intelligent backbone does its quiet work – unseen, unsung – it carries more than data. It carries hope. It carries opportunity. It carries people’s most intimate needs: to learn, to work, to trade, to care, to connect.”
BBI has utilised Huawei’s next-generation Optical Cross-Connect (OXC) technology to deliver 800G wavelengths across its network, a leap that will enable massive volumes of data to be transferred between cities or data centres in real-time, supporting the country’s growing digital economy. It is the first 800G intelligent optical backbone network deployed by the government sector, positioning South Africa as a leader of digital backbone innovation.
The network will also support South Africa’s new BBI fibre route, which connects Johannesburg to the Kopfontein border, thereby strengthening high-speed cross-border connectivity across the SADC region. The backbone spans all nine provinces and extends to the borders with Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe, providing broad regional access.
“This partnership will create a foundation for widespread public sector digital transformation. Huawei is honoured to support this journey, and we remain fully committed to deepening our collaboration with BBI, from intelligent optical technology to end-to-end services, ensuring this network doesn’t just connect, but empowers,” said Will Meng, CEO of Huawei South Africa. “Looking ahead, Huawei will scale these efforts to build an inclusive, resilient digital ecosystem for the Southern African region.”
Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Hon. Solly Malatsi said digital inclusion is about providing connectivity that is permanent and sustainable. He said that meaningful digital inclusion means high-quality connectivity should be available not only in urban areas but also in rural areas.
“That would be the true measure of meaningful digital inclusion. And for that, it means that we must hold each other accountable. The SA Connect project is a very noble effort to close the digital divide. We dare not fail that mission.”
Enhanced connectivity can support traffic management systems, public safety networks, healthcare infrastructure and environmental monitoring. Another critical metric it can impact is job creation. With a nationwide rollout, skills development in ICT will reach even the most remote communities.
“Through public-private partnerships and alignment with national digital transformation agendas such as SA Connect, Broadband Infraco is reinforcing South Africa’s digital infrastructure, ensuring that no community, especially those in rural and underserved areas, is left behind,” Zowa concluded.
